Italian Grand Prix – Monza, 8th September 2007
Qualifying session Session Driver Pos. Time Laps Driver Pos.
Time Laps
Q1 MAS 3rd 1.22.309 3 RAI 4th 1.22.673 7
Q2 MAS 3rd 1.21.993 3 RAI 4th 1.22.369 3
Q3 MAS 3rd 1.22.549 11 RAI 5th 1.23.183 11
Chassis: F. Massa 263, K. Raikkonen 262 Weather: air temperature
25 °C, track temperature 36/37 °C, clear skies.
Jean Todt: “After what we learnt at
last week’s test here and in yesterday’s free
practice, we expected a tough qualifying and so it was. On
a single lap our rivals are very strong but we are aware that
we have a very competitive race pace. The crucial factors
for tomorrow’s race will be the same as always: reliability,
strategy, the work of the team and the drivers and consistency
of performance. Clearly, we are keen to do well here at Monza
in our home race in front of our fans and our employees who
will pack out their own special grandstand.”
Felipe Massa: “I think third place
was the best I could do this afternoon. We lacked a bit of
speed to fight the McLarens for the front row but we know
we are competitive in race trim, so we can be confident about
tomorrow’s race. The car is not bad in terms of balance,
although it is a bit difficult under braking. I hope I get
a good start and then play a good hand in a race that will
be very tough. I will do all I can to bring home a good result
in front of our fans.”
Kimi Raikkonen: “The accident this
morning certainly didn’t help for qualifying, also considering
the time lost in yesterday afternoon’s free practice.
I locked the wheels under braking and the car went right rather
than left. At that moment there was not much I could do but
accept that I would end up in the barrier. The McLarens were
strong in the test and in free practice, so I don’t
think there was much I could have done about getting pole
position. All the same I think we can get a good result given
our pace over a longer distance. It definitely won’t
be the first time that we have had the odd difficulty in qualifying
and then been very competitive in the race. I will do all
I can to give our fans something to cheer about.”
Luca Baldisserri: “This was definitely
a very difficult day. This morning we had Kimi going off the
track, after he lost control of the car when braking on a
bump going into Ascari. We found no signs of a mechanical
failure and so we carried on working with Felipe. We fitted
the T-car chassis with the engine from the damaged car but
of course, the set-up was not perfect and also given the time
lost in the last two sessions of free practice, Kimi’s
chances in qualifying were definitely compromised. We knew
our closest rivals would have the edge over the single lap
and Felipe, while giving it his all, could not get higher
up the order than third. But we have a strong race pace and
so we can be cautiously optimistic about the race tomorrow,
where we will try to do our best, for us, for our fans and
for our colleagues who are here supporting us.”
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